1. Secondary Assessment Transition
Regional Counselor Workshops
June 2011

2. Secondary Assessment Transition
The Secondary Assessment Transition Plan was approved by the State Board of Education on April 13, 2011.
This plan provides for the phasing out of the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) and an increased “weight” of the End of Course Tests (EOCT).
All students will continue to be required to take and pass the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT).

3. Secondary Assessment Transition
In April the State Board of Education voted to adopt amendments to two rules:
Rule : Testing Programs – Student Assessment (
Rule : Statewide Passing Score
( )

4. Secondary Assessment Transition Plan
Cohort 1: Students entering grade nine for the first time during the school year and beyond
Testing Rule Amendments for this cohort include:
Removing the Georgia High School Graduation Tests as a requirement for graduation.
Retaining the requirement to pass the Georgia High School Writing Test.
Statewide Passing Score Rule amendments include:
Increasing the contribution of EOCT to the course grade to 20%.
NOTE: Students would not be required to pass the EOCT to graduate but must pass the course to earn credit.

5. Secondary Assessment Transition Plan
Cohort 2: Students currently in high school (entered grade nine for the first time between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2011)
Testing Rule Amendments for this cohort include:
Flexibility – allowing a passing score on one of the two EOCTs in each content area to serve as an alternate demonstration of proficiency and stand in lieu of the requirement to pass the corresponding content area GHSGT.
Retaining the requirement to pass the Georgia High School Writing Test.
Statewide Passing Score Rule amendments include:
Retaining the contribution of the EOCT to the course grade at 15%.
Students who entered 9th grade between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2011, may satisfy the GHSGT requirement for graduation by achieving a proficient score on one of the two EOCT in each subject area (language arts, mathematics, science, social studies) or passing the corresponding subject-area GHSGT.

6. Secondary Assessment Transition Plan
Ninth Graders
Tenth Graders
Eleventh Graders
Twelfth Graders
2011 / 2012
EOCT = 20% of course grade
Pass the GHSWT
EOCT = 15% of course grade
[Pass one EOCT in each of the four content areas or pass the corresponding subject test of GHSGT]
Pass GHSWT
2012 / 2013
2013 / 2014
2014 / 2015
Common Core Assessment Implementation
(Language Arts & Mathematics)
EOCT = 20%
(Science & Social Studies)

7. Students who enter grade 9 for the first time in SY2011 -2012 or after
Secondary Assessment Transition Changes go into effect beginning with the school year.
Cohort 1
Students who enter grade 9 for the first time in SY or after
Cohort 2
Students who entered grade 9 for the first time between July 2008 and June 2011
Must pass the GHSWT to be eligible for diploma
Are not required to take or pass GHSGT ( test not administered)
Are required to pass courses* associated with EOCT, with EOCT contributing 20% to course grade
Are not required to pass EOCT
Must pass the GHSWT to be eligible for diploma
Must pass one of the two subject-area EOCT or the corresponding subject-area GHSGT
Are required to pass courses associated with EOCT, with EOCT contributing 15% to course grade
*In science, students may take Physical Science or Physics (no EOCT for Physics).

8. Secondary Assessment Transition Plan
This transition plan was developed in consideration of the planned implementation of Common Core Assessments in
Beginning in , Adequate Yearly Progress would be calculated using EOCT scores for selected courses.
AYP would be calculated by course (such as American Literature).

9. Next Steps for Secondary Assessment Transition
Amend other related State Board Rules such as:
Rule : Waivers and Variances of High School Graduation Assessments
Rule : Student Data Collection
Include EOCT scores on transcript

10. Questions Melissa Fincher Tony Eitel Melissa Faux Michael Huneke
Associate Superintendent for Assessment & Accountability /
Tony Eitel
Director, Assessment Administration /
Melissa Faux
Assessment Specialist: EOCT /
Michael Huneke
Assessment Specialist: GHSGT /